Leveraging Virtualization

Technology for Command and

Control Systems Training Joseph J. Connery, Jr., Robert C. Callahan, Dr. Philip N. Brown

NORAD and USNORTHCOM/J7

Joint Training and Exercises Directorate

Colorado Springs, CO

joseph.j.connery.ctr@mail.mil

robert.c.callahan8.civ@mail.mil

philip.n.brown1.civ@mail.mil

C2 System Training Challenges for

NORAD and USNORTHCOM Missions • Unique C2 systems and simulation models

– Expensive scenario development

• Isolated internal system simulations

– Single mission stimulus

– Limited participants

• Crews memorized the limited set of scenarios

– Resulted in “negative training”

NORAD Bi-National mission: To conduct aerospace warning, aerospace

control, and maritime warning in the defense of North America.

USNORTHCOM mission: Partner to conduct homeland defense, civil support,

and security cooperation to defend and secure the United States and its

interests.

2 Hampton Roads, Virginia March 31-April 2, 2015

NORAD and USNORTHCOM

Training C2 System Objectives

Dynamic scenario injection

Utilize Service’s JLVC toolkit

Stimulate multiple C2 systems

Synchronized multi-mission

Cross-domain guards

Local training

or multi-echelon

Affordable for

Alternate and Trainer

Initial Focus: Air Warning Training • Original work plan was revectored

– Leadership changed prioritization of primary C2 system to a new Remote

Tactical Air Picture (RTAP) – No documentation; not feasible to emulate

– Command introduced a new Air Event Information Sharing Service (A/EISS)

– Stopped adaptation work on existing Air Warfare Simulation (AWSIM) to

directly stimulate the old primary system, Air Mission Evolution (AME)

• Way-ahead – Virtualized training system

– Rather than emulating individual feeds into four local C2 systems, stepped

back one level to common source, Battle Control System (BCS)

– Virtualization of BCS and our C2 systems provided cost-effective replication

with authentic processing, messages, and displays

– End result is an end-to-end air string representing inputs from military, FAA,

and NAVCAN sensors through the NORAD sectors’ BCS processing with

outputs merged into Headquarter’s systems

4

Virtualized

BCS

AME

GCCS

RTAP

A/EISS

Historic Event Replay/Injector

Air Warning C2 System Training • AWSIM modified to model North America AOR (primarily FAA civilian aviation)

• AWSIM Model Operator dynamically stimulating virtualized BCS

• Authentic BCS processing with outputs to virtualized NORAD C2 systems

• Warfighter trains at operational workstation – added thin client hardware

• Adding a historic event capture and replay capability

5

Virtualized

BCS

AME

GCCS

RTAP

A/EISS

Historic Event Replay/Injector

Virtualization Benefits

• View of training systems have same “Look/Touch/Feel” as

operational systems

• Authentic processing and message content

• Inherits many Cyber Security and Information Assurance

characteristics – simplified approval for Authority to Operate

• Virtual machines are “files”

– Small footprint – AWSIM, four NORAD Sectors’ BCS components and HQ C2

systems hosted on two virtualization servers

– Easily restored back to initial state

– Select files for software upgrades, mixing versions or “reverting” back

• Cost-effective

– Replicated for Qualification Trainer, Alternate

Operations Center and Cyber Range

6 Hampton Roads, Virginia March 31-April 2, 2015

Virtual Air WarningTraining Systems

vCenter Map View

7 Hampton Roads, Virginia March 31-April 2, 2015

AWSIM

Air Defense Sector Components (one of four - WADS)

Headquarters C2 Systems GCCS/Agile Client A/EISS and RTAP

Air Warning C2 Training System

Deployment

8 Hampton Roads, Virginia March 31-April 2, 2015

Trainee Positions

Server Rooms

AWSIM Model Operator

Next: Virtualized/Distributed/Integrated

Air and Missile Event C2 System Training

9 Hampton Roads, Virginia March 31-April 2, 2015

10 Hampton Roads, Virginia March 31-April 2 2015

Summary

Leveraged virtualization technology to enhance NORAD

and USNORTHCOM C2 system training objectives

– Dynamic scenario injection

– Utilizes Service’s JLVC toolkit - AWSIM

– Stimulates multiple C2 systems with authentic processing,

messages, and displays

– Initially deployed for local training, but scalable for distributed

multi-echelon events

– Affordably replicated in Alternate Command Center and

Qualification Trainer

– Expanding capabilities for synchronized air and missile event

multi-mission training